Underskirt



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

M. J. OOLVERF,v

UNDBRSKIRT.

Patented May 5, 1896.

Mann: :2 (mam M FHDTO 1mm wasmmmn DC 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.) I

M. J. GOLVER. UNDERSKIRT. No. 559,681. Patented May 5, 1896.

AN BREW B GRAMAMJ'HOTO u'mmwnsammou D t ilnirnn STATES AIENT firmer.

MARY J. COLVIIR, OF FRANKFORT, INDIANA.

UNDER SKIRT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 559,681, dated May 5,1896.

Serial No. 542,732. (No model.)

To (LZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, hIARY .I. COLVER, of Frankfort, in the county ofClinton, and in the State of Indiana, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Petticoats; and Idohereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is aperspective view of a petticoat or underskirt made in accordance with myinvention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof. Fig. 3 is ahorizontalsection. Fig. i is a detail perspective view of one of thegoddets, and Fig. 5 is a like view of one of the goddet rings or bands.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of thefigures.

The object of my invention is to enable the outside dress-skirts ofladies" apparel to be draped or shaped according to a desired style orfashion "without applyingv to such skirts themselves, as a part thereof,the heavy and expensive linings and trimmings, such as haircloth,chamois, or other stiitening or shaping materials and to this end saidinvention consists in a petticoat or undergarment constructedsubstantially as and for the purpose hereinafter specified.

In designing my invention I have had in view more especially theproduction of means to enable the outer skirts of ladies dresses to beshaped or arranged in accordance with the style known as the organ-pipeor goddct. This style of dress, as ordinarily made, involves the use ofstiifening material, such as hairoloth, to produce and preserve thedesired shape, which is objectionable, both as adding to the cost of the.dress and making it unduly heavy.

In the carrying of my invention into practice I employ a petticoat orundershirt A that at its top edge is provided with a drawstring 13 orother means for securing it to the person and at its back is preferablydivided vertically and provided with a lace or cord 0 to permit ofadjustment of the pettieoat to various sizes and styles. Attached at itsside edges to the back portion of the petticoat, upon each side of thelacing O, is a piece I), forming a supplemental back to whichis secured.a numberas shown, four of tubes E and E, that extend vertically from thewaist to the bottom of the petticoat and have the tapering form, withtheir larger ends at the bottom, that is characteristic of the goddeis.Each of these tubes is formed, preferably, of goods or material the sameas is employed in making the petticoat, and is kept normally distendedby a series of horizontal elastic rings or bands F and F, thatsuccessively increase in diameter from the waist downward, and which aresecured within the tube by means of a piece or strip of tape G, coveringthem and stitched to the tube. The rings or bands F may be made ofpieces or strips of metal or other elastic material, bent into circularshape, an d the ends of each suitably united, as by a clip f, as shown.

The tubes E and E are attached to the petticoat, preferably by beingstitched or sewed thereto. Secured by sewing or otherwise to the garmentat each side of each tube E are several spring clips or clasps H and Hat points respectively near the upper and lower ends thereof, which aredesigned to catch or grip the outer skirt or dress and cause the same tobe held in folds, closely conforming to the't-ubes, and thus produce thegoddet or organ-pipe effect.

The supplemental back D is made to curve convexly outward and toproperly support the tubes and the dress by means of a number offlexible horizontal strips I and I, socured to the inner sides thereofand placed a short distance apart from the bottom of the petticoat forabout three-fourths of the way to the top or waist. Said strips may beof spring metal or other elastic material.

To extend or flare out the bottom of the outer dress a number,preferably four, of parallel horizontal strips or bands K and K ofelastic, metal, or other material are secured to the bottom of thepetticoat a short distance apart and extend only around the sides andfront of the same from the points where the side edges of thesupplemental back are attached thereto.

To weight the front portion of the bottom of the petticoat, so as tomore perfectly balance the same, I use two short flexible metal stripsor pieces L and L, that are respectively secured to the petticoat in thetwo spaces between the three lower ones of the bands K and K.

To use a dress in connection with my petticoat, it is necessary simplyto place the former in position over the latter and, closely conformingthe back portion of the dress to each of the tubes E and E, fasten thesame in place over the latter by means of the clips or clasps II and II.The effect produced is precisely similar to that obtained wherethegoddets are made a permanent part of the dress, as by the use of thestiffening materials heretofore referred to; but with the use of mypetticoat there is a material diminution in weight and cost. Of coursethe number of the tubes E and E may be diminished or increased withoutdeparture from my invention.

\Vhere greater stiffness is desired than is afforded by a single strip Iin the supplemental back, I propose to use two or more thereof,superimposed upon each other, and of course at any of the places whereflexible strips or bands are used in the garment the same plan can bepursued to secure added stiffness.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim is-- 1. An undergarmenthaving a series of longitudinally-extending, projecting ribs, and meansat the sides of each of the latter for holding the dress-skirt, drawninward over each of the ribs, substantially as and for the purposespecified.

2. An undergarment having at its back a series oflongitudinally-extending, tubular dress-supports and provided withfasteners at the sides of each of the latter forengaging the dress andholding the same drawn inward over each of the supports, substantiallyas and for the purpose shown.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this18th day of March, 1895.

MARY J. COLVER'.

lVitnesscs ASA H. BoULnEN, ARTHUR L. COOPER.

